Continuing our series ranking the SEC’s depth charts by position group, it’s now time for linebackers. Most of the SEC’s big name ‘backers are gone to the NFL, but a new round of young talent is rising up to take their spot. There is always room for some confusion here — I’ve not included Arden Key as a ‘backer, but did include Oren Burks. Both might be, neither might be. As with some of the other positions where movement is near-constant, the school’s biggest losses and one key returning player are noted. Let’s get to it:

14. Ole Miss — Loses: Rommel Mageo, Tony Conner (Huskie). Returns: Sr. DeMarquis Gates

The Rebels struggled and lose one full-time starter and another part-timer. They do return Gates, a small, quick backer (6-2, 211) who repeated as the team’s leading tackler in 2016 (79 tackles, four sacks). Detric Bing-Dukes is a junior who started three games and had 41 tackles in 2016. Depth is a concern, but as bad as the defense has been, it would be hard to be much worse in 2017.

13. Arkansas — Loses: Brooks Ellis. Returns: Sr. Dwayne Eugene

Arkansas had major trouble on defense in 2016. The good news is that most of these guys are back. That also might be the bad news. The one loss is a big one — Ellis led the team in tackles (83) and was second in tackles for loss (seven). The returning players include Eugene (44 tackles and an interception), Jr. Dre Greenlaw (42 tackles in essentially half the season) and Randy Ramsey (23 tackles, 2.5 sacks). There is solid young depth, but this group has a way to go.

12. Missouri — Loses: Donavin Newsom, Michael Scherer.  Returns: Sr. Joey Burkett

The Tigers had major defensive issues in 2016, and taking away their top tackler (Newsom, who had 73 stops and 5.5 tackles for loss) and defensive leader (Scherer, who had 53 tackles in seven games before injury ended his season) doesn’t figure to help things. Burkett is an undersized (6-2, 210) outside ‘backer who returns (40 tackles, two interceptions). Eric Beisel (44 stops, six tackles for loss) is also back, as is sophomore Cale Garrett (47 tackles, six tackles for loss). So there is some experience, but losing the top two performers off a humdrum unit isn’t inspiring.

11. Texas A&M — Loses: Shaan Washington, Claude George. Returns: Jr. Otaro Alaka

Leading tackler Washington and JUCO pass-rusher George will be missed, but Alaka is a possible All-SEC candidate for 2017. The thick junior (6-3, 240) is a solid run stopper (74 tackles, nine tackles for loss) who should have an excellent season. Sometime starter Jr. Richard Moore (29 tackles, four QB hurries) could also step up this year. The Aggies redshirted some talented young depth.

10. Vanderbilt — Loses: Zach Cunningham, Ja’karri Thomas. Returns: Sr. Oren Burks

Cunningham was an all-everything selection at linebacker and went pro early. Thomas (59 tackles) tied with Burks for fourth on the team in stops. Burks (pictured), a hybrid safety type who also plays some inside ‘backer, had 59 stops, 6.5 tackles for loss, six passes broken up and seven QB hurries.

Sep 24, 2016; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers wide receiver Taywan Taylor (2) rushes against Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Oren Burks (20) during overtime at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium. Vanderbilt won 31-30. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

There is some depth as well. Jordan Griffin (21 tackles) and Landon Stokes (18 tackles) both saw some action in ’16, but it’ll take all the Commodores can muster to replace Cunningham in any meaningful sense.

9. South Carolina –– Loses: T.J. Holloman, Jonathan Walton. Returns: Sr Skai Moore

Holloman and Walton were the No. 3 and 4 tacklers for USC, and will be missed. A bigger story is Moore, who is an All-American level talent but is coming of a neck injury that cost him 2016. If Moore plays, he and Sr. Bryson Allen-Williams (75 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss in 2016) give South Carolina two star power linebackers. USC has only one other scholarship linebacker in spring camp, so depth is a big question, and if Moore can’t go full throttle, this unit slides down 2-3 spots.

8. LSU — Loses: Kendell Beckwith, Duke Riley, Tashawn Bower. Returns: Sr. Donnie Alexander

LSU loses some studs this year, as leading tacklers Riley (93 stops) and Beckwith (91 stops, All-SEC pick) lead the departing group. The cupboard isn’t bare, as Alexander (45 tackles, an interception, and two QB hurries) returns at an inside backer spot. Pass-rush sensation Arden Key is sometimes listed as a linebacker, but as he was chosen All-SEC by coaches and the media as a defensive end, I listed him there. Sophomore Michael Divinity could be a highlight as an inside backer.

7. Florida — Loses: Alex Anzalone, Jarrad Davis. Returns: Soph. David Reese (pictured, right, with Kylan Johnson)

With the losses of Davis (60 tackles, six tackles for loss, second team All-SEC by coaches) and Anzalone (53 tackles in eight games), Florida loses two of its better veteran defenders.

The good news is that the young guys have promise, as shown by Reese, a 6-foot, 244-pound ‘backer who ended up fifth on the Gators in tackles with 49 as a true freshman. Kylan Johnson (39 tackles, five tackles for loss) also played well as a freshman and helps Florida have a solid foundation moving forward. The depth is green but talented.

Nov 12, 2016; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators linebacker Kylan Johnson (28) and linebacker David Reese (33) tackle South Carolina Gamecocks running back David Williams (33) during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

6. Kentucky — Loses: None of significance. Returns: Jr. Jordan Jones

Kentucky returns a talented group of ‘backers, led by undersized (6-2, 220) but explosive All-SEC pick Jones. He was third in the SEC in tackles with 109 stops, and added 15.5 tackles for loss, four sacks and nine QB hurries. His play was complemented by pass-rushers Denzil Ware (70 tackles, 12 tackles for loss) and Josh Allen (62 tackles, seven sacks).

The weak link here is middle backer Courtney Love, who posted 76 tackles,but too often played his way out of position. If Love improves or sophomore Kash Daniel fills the spot, UK is as talented of a group as any in the league. Depth has taken a hit, with transfers of reserves De’Niro Laster and Nico Firios.

5. Tennessee — Loses: Jalen Reeves-Maybin. Returns: Jr. Darrin Kirkland

Reeves-Maybin, like the rest of Tennessee’s defense, was limited by injuries. Kirkland (45 tackles, five tackles for loss in eight games) was too. Colton Jumper (61 tackles, four tackles for loss) was one of the few healthy UT ‘backers. Other returners include Cortez McDowell (54 tackles) and Kendal Vickers (38 stops, six tackles for loss). If they can stay healthy, this could be the most improved group in the SEC.

4. Mississippi State — Loses: Richie Brown. Returns: Soph. Leo Lewis

Brown topped 100 tackles in 2015 and 2016, and will be badly missed, but there’s a lot of returning young stars here. Lewis, a 6-2, 240-pound outside ‘backer, was one of the best freshmen in the league, with 79 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss. Sr. J.T. Gray was third on the team in stops with 71 and had eight tackles for loss, and Junior Gerri Green backed up Brown well. Depth is a bit of an unknown, but this is as good of a starting group as the SEC will produce.

3. Alabama — Loses: Tim Williams, Reuben Foster, Ryan Anderson. Returns: Sr. Rashaan Evans

Alabama is hit hard by graduation, as leading tackler Foster (115 stops) and pass-rush stars Williams and Anderson (nine sacks each) are gone — and each was an all-SEC selection. There are some solid players returning, including starters Evans (53 tackles, four sacks, six QB hurries) and Sr. Shaun Dion Hamilton (64 stops, nine tackles for loss). As everywhere else, there’s tons of young talent, including sophomore Mack Wilson, who could be All-SEC in 2017.

2. Auburn — Loses: T.J. Neal. Returns: Jr. Deshaun Davis (pictured)

The Tigers basically lose nothing here, as grad transfer Neal played a fairly small role in his one year at Auburn. Returning starters senior Tre Williams (67 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, four QB hurries), Davis (63 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five QB hurries) and fellow junior Darrell Williams (52 stops, 3.5 tackles for loss, five QB hurries) give the Tigers a talented and experienced linebacker corps.

Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Kevin Steele talks to linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) during warm-ups prior to the game against the Clemson Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Junior Montavious Atkinson would start for many teams, and the Tigers don’t lack for depth. This is one of the best groups in the conference and the country.

1. Georgia — Loses: None of significance. Returns: Everyone, including Jr. Roquan Smith

UGA has the best linebacker group in the league. Roquan Smith, at just 6-1, 225 pounds, led the team in tackles (95) and added five tackles for loss and five QB hurries. Other returnees include senior Lorenzo Carter, an NFL-caliber talent, who had 44 tackles, five sacks and 13 QB hurries in 2016. Senior Davin Bellamy had 51 stops, five sacks and 17 hurries as well, so between the two, UGA has a pair of outstanding pass-rushers.

Middle linebacker Natrez Patrick was second on the team in tackles (59) and had 4.5 tackles for loss and seven QB hurries. If UGA can win the East, look no farther to find a key group who will make it happen.